Fresno Co. Behavioral Health worker accused of sexual assault

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether there are more victims following the arrest of a county behavioral health department employee.

Pao Vue Vang, 52, was arrested last week. He's accused of sexually assaulting a female client. The woman says the assault took place during an appointment at his office.

Authorities say Pao Vue Vang sexually assaulted a female client inside his office at the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health, where he worked as an unlicensed clinician for nearly 10 years.

Chris Curtice said, "The victim was 27 years old, she said she had been a client and she was actually at his office for an appointment when the assault took place."

Fresno County Sheriff's Spokesperson Chris Curtice says the incident happened July 27th. The investigation began three days later when the victim reported the crime to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Curtice said, "Detectives started looking into it and they actually had the suspect who is 52-year-old Pao Vue Vang; they had him come down to the sheriff's office where he was interviewed and ultimately arrested."

Vang was booked into the Fresno County jail on charges of rape, but has since bonded out. When Action News went to his East Central Fresno home, he appeared to be there, but no one came to the door.

In a written statement to Action News the county confirmed he is no longer employed with the department.

Human Resources Manager Paula Zapata said, "The Department of Behavioral Health's first priority is assisting consumers and ensuring their safety and well-being. With regard to Mr. Vang, we can confirm he was employed by this department from September 2002 through July 2012. However, because personnel matters are confidential, we cannot discuss any specifics regarding employees, past or present."

Authorities are now working to find out if there were any other victims.

Curtice explained, "We do want to get the word out to anyone who may have been a client or knows Mr. Vang and thinks they may have been a victim of assault, we want them to contact the sheriff's office."

Vang's neighbors didn't want to go on camera, but one man told us he was surprised to learn Vang was accused of such a crime. He described him as a "mild-mannered, family-oriented man." He said Vang and his wife have several children that often play with the neighborhood kids.

The case is now in the hands of the district attorney's office. Because it is still under investigation, the sheriff's office is not releasing a mug shot.